World Youth Day 2013 to unveil logo

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Feb 2, 2012 / 01:06 am (CNA).- The official logo for the 2013 World Youth Day in Brazil will be unveiled on Feb. 7 at the event headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

More than 100 Brazilian bishops as well as civil authorities and public figures will attend the ceremony.

Archbishop Orani João Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro and the head of World Youth Day’s local organizing committee will introduce the creator of the logo, which was selected in a contest.

On Feb. 6, lights will illuminate Rio’s famous statue Christ the Redeemer with the colors of 150 countries whose citizens will attend World Youth Day.

The logo’s original launch date of Feb. 1 was postponed because of the collapse of two large buildings in downtown Rio on Jan. 25. The disaster killed at least 17 people.

The archbishop and World Youth Day organizers expressed their condolences to the victims and families.

The 28th World Youth Day will take place from July 23 to 28 next year.

World Youth Day symbols such as the Youth Cross and an icon of the Virgin Mary are passing through all Brazilian dioceses and the countries of the South Cone (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay) to prepare for the event.